More than a year after demolishing the aging, cramped North Fire Station, the Berwyn Fire Department celebrated the opening of the new 16th Street station Saturday. Originally built in 1925, crews tore down the old structure in March 2008. The $3.2 million station was scheduled to reopen late last year, but poor soil quality and weather conditions delayed construction.

At 14,000 square feet, the station is nearly three times the size of the old one. The old station fit almost entirely into what is now the fire house’s drive-through apparatus bay.

The additional space has allowed the department to transfer an ambulance from the South Fire Station to the busier north station, 6615 16th St. The city plans to increase the size of the apparatus bay by adding on to the west side of the station. The alley off of Clarence Avenue will also be widened to allow fire engines easier access to the bay’s entrance, according to Fire Chief Denis O’Halloran.

Local reaction

“I’m glad they kept the old stove. They have some of the old with the new.”
~Donna Calvello, Berwyn

“It’s nice. It’s roomy, updated and they need it.”
~Heather Coon, Berwyn

“This is an edifice that people will be proud of. It’s been years in the making, and it’s good that it’s finally here.”
~Ralph Zaccariello, Berwyn

Highlights

•The apparatus bay is large enough to fit one fire engine and two ambulances. Rather than backing into the bay from 16th Street — as required at the old station — vehicles can now drive through the bay, entering from a back alley and exiting onto 16th Street.

•The station’s new training facility comes loaded with computers, a projector and is pre-wired for use as a back-up 911 center. The current back-up is in North Riverside. The room can also split in two for use as an off-site command center in case of a large-scale emergency.

•Each sleeping space is partially enclosed to allow for some privacy while firefighters and medics catch some sleep during their 24-hour shifts. The station also now has male and female showers and bathrooms, a feature missing at the old station. The station is handicap-accessible.

Couldn't make it to the grand opening?

Click on the video below to take a tour of the new station with Chief Denis O'Halloran.